Doro has unveiled its latest Android smartphone for technophobes.
The Swedish firm today pulled the wraps off the Doro Liberto 825, a handset targeted at elderly users and consumers who aren’t as tech-savvy as your average IT worker or iPhone-toting millenial.
It’s a low-end, 4G-enabled 5-inch smartphone running a modified version of Android 5.1.1. Crucially, all software tweaks are designed to make the Liberto easier to use.
Doro has essentially created an interface that places the lion’s share of importance on words, rather than icons and symbols.
While regular smartphone users would either head into WhatsApp, their messages folder or email app before sending a message, users of the Liberto 825 can instead tap on a button labelled ‘Send’. From there, they can specify whether they want to send an email, text or picture message, then choose an existing contact or a new number or address.
It’s a simple change to the formula that makes a lot of sense. We’d even go as far as saying that users will struggle not to get to grips with the 825.
The Liberto comes pre-loaded with an app called My Doro Manager. It allows friends or relatives to monitor the handset, tinker with settings and even share apps remotely.
More basic guidance is provided right from the off, with the 825 teaching users how to scroll, swipe, adjust the font size and volume during the setup process.
Doro’s also replaced the three standard Android soft keys with physical buttons and added a special assistance key on the back, which users can press to send an emergency message to up to five pre-specified contacts.
“The Doro Liberto 825 interface turns the status quo on its head and brings something completely new to the world of mobile design,” said Chris Millington, the managing director of Doro UK.
“This stunning device will naturally guide the user, through the use of encouraging language to build confidence.”
Software aside, the Liberto squeezes in a 1,280 x 720 display, an as-yet-unspecified 1.2GHz processor, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage, which you can expand via the microSD card slot.
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Doro claims its removable 2,000mAh battery will keep going for an impressive three days between charges. The follow-up to the Liberto 820 also features hearing aid compatibility and proof of presence NFC.
The Doro Liberto 825 will cost £250 SIM-free when it lands in the UK in early November.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.